KATHMANDU: A quiet diplomatic exchange in Kathmandu has brought an unresolved local issue into the spotlight. When the Chinese Embassy in Nepal sought permission to celebrate the Chinese New Year with an event stretching from Thamel to Ratna Park, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) made an unexpected suggestion: hold it along the Kalanki-Maharajgunj section of the Ring Road instead.
On the surface, the response appeared logistical—avoiding congestion in busy city areas. But for many, it felt like a pointed nudge toward an issue that has plagued residents for years: the unfinished expansion of the Kalanki-Maharajgunj section, a symbol of unfulfilled promises, inconvenience, and neglect.
Road of frustration
The Kalanki-Maharajgunj stretch is a part of the second phase of the Ring Road expansion project. While the first phase, the 8-lane Koteshwor-Kalanki section, was completed by China and handed over in 2018, the second phase—a mere 8.2 kilometers—remains untouched, years after the bilateral agreement was signed.
Residents along this stretch have said they have had to endure chaos and pollution for far too long. The road remains narrow and dusty, with piles of waste, constant traffic snarls, and a general sense of neglect.
Last year, KMC Mayor Balen Shah staged a dramatic protest, dumping garbage at the gates of the Road Division Office and vowing to send “daily gifts of dust” to the then Minister of Physical Infrastructure.
But despite the theatrics, progress on the road has stalled, leaving residents literally and figuratively in the dust.
Symbolic protest
Now the city target is the Chinese Embassy. The suggestion to host the Chinese Embassy’s event along the Kalanki-Maharajgunj route has been interpreted by many as a symbolic act of frustration.
Some international relation experts say that for KMC, it might have been a way of saying, “If this road isn’t good enough for residents, it’s certainly not good enough for a high-profile celebration.”
However, Balram Tripathi, head of KMC’s international relations secretariat, dismissed the idea that the response was sarcastic.
“We simply suggested an alternative area to avoid congestion in Thamel and Ratna Park. It was not meant to offend,” he said.
Still, the timing and location of the proposal have raised eyebrows, especially given the lingering bitterness over the delayed project.
Delays and diplomatic deadlock
The reasons for the delay in the road expansion are complex. While the Chinese side had prepared a preliminary Detailed Project Report (DPR) two years ago, Nepal’s Department of Roads made suggestions, but no progress followed.
Land clearance, once cited as a bottleneck, is no longer an issue. According to Mukunda Adhikari, senior engineer at the Road Development Assistance Implementation Division, the project is ready to begin—if only the Chinese contractor would show up.
The Nepali government has been proactive in reaching out. The project was included in agreements during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China, and the Ministry of Finance has written to Chinese authorities to expedite the process. Yet, the wait continues, with no clear timeline for the contractor’s arrival.
Cost of neglect
For those living and commuting through Kalanki and Maharajgunj, the delay is more than an administrative hiccup—it’s a daily burden.
Dust-filled air has become a health hazard, while the narrow, congested roads cause frustration for commuters and local businesses alike. Residents feel abandoned, caught in a tug-of-war between promises and action.
Even as two local contractors work on service tracks along the route, progress has been slow and far from adequate. The project office estimates completion by June, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle.
The real momentum will come when the Chinese contractor begins work on the main road—a prospect that feels increasingly uncertain.
There is cautious optimism. Recent agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative have rekindled hopes that work on the second phase might finally begin.
“We’ve coordinated at every level and are ready to support the project in any way,” said Finance Ministry Spokesperson Mahesh Bhattarai.
For now, the ball is in China’s court. As Kathmandu waits, the Kalanki-Maharajgunj road stands as a stark reminder of the cost of delays—both diplomatic and personal.
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